The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-02-24

mo, | don't" he blurted out; "but
l don't know whether you are telling
the truth or lie. l must obey orders. "
But, senor, would you kill woman
a grip"
Good God!" cried the corporal.
Then, when he glanced at the upturn-
ed face and saw the liquid eyes with
their long lashes, the pOuting crimson
lips, and the family ly-fushed, dark face,
he wondered that he had not suspected
the truth before.
''Sennorita,n stammered the rough
soldier, Il am sorry that you are in
this trouble. You may rest assured,
however, that | am not going to kill
you"
Il knew it'' and the girl smiled
triumphantly.
But you ought to be sent to head
quarters"
And would my life be safe there?''
''No. | don't believe it would" was
the corporars thoughtful reply.
Then set me free!'
'Hey?"
Set me freer'
Hang me if l don't!' said the cor
poral. "Why, of course | will"
He cut the prisoners bonds and gave
an inquiring look.
1T is all right" responded the
senorita. The stream is not deep at
this point. | am going to ford it, and
on the other side of yonder hill my
brother and his companions await me.
When you return to your comrades tell
them that You did your duty. God
bless you, senor, and farewell.
Before he could speak the sonnrita
was halfway across the river As she
disappeared in the forest on the other
side she waved her hand, and the cor
poral heartily responded.
Ugh! Don't ask me- was Corporal
Johns reply to the questions of his
comrades. Il did my duty. That is
enough"
There were other things demanding
their attention, and the fate of the
Mexican lad was not very searchingly
inquired into.
Il am a great fool to fight a duel, y
said John Conway as he finished his
toilet and viewed his face in the glass,
"but when fellow is in Paris he must
do as the Parisians do"
Conway gave an extra twist to his
mustache, and continued talking to
himself:
1t is strange. l fought through
our war and was mixed up in the Maxi
milan business. ! have done my
share of shooting and being shot at,
but never yet stood up in cold blood
to exchange shots with man. | don t
like it,
SO many years had elapsed since
COnway'S military experience that the
prospect of fight no longer stirred
his blood. He was not an old man,
but the fiery ardor of youth was a
thing of the past. After years of ad-
veuturous speculation in the mining re-
gions of the west fortune had favored
him, and for the first time in his life he
was realizing one of the dreams of his
youth, visit to Paris.
Unfortunately, he had been drawn
into political controversy in a cafe
with member of the Mexican Lega-
ton, Senor Gomez, gentleman whose
great wealth and beautiful wife We're
at that time the talk of Paris In the
heat of the discussion Conway had
given mortal offense to the Mexican.
The result was challenge, and the
American had accepted, selecting pis-
tolls and fixing the hour for 3 O'Clock
that afternoon, the place chosen being
a suburban forest notorious for its af-
fairs of honor.
While the American was wondering
whether he had sufficient appetite for
breakfast, there was tap at his door,
Opening it he saw to his surprise Senor
Gomez, who advanced into the room
with grave countenance II which
various emotions were struggling for
expression.
John Conway involuntarily fell back
in amazement at beholding this unex-
pected visitor.
''SenOr Conway" said Gomez, .sthis
visit under the circumstances is un-
heard of. 1t is irregular. but YOU
Americans are always prepared for the
unexpected. l am here, senior; to apo
iogize for my conduct, and to with
draw my challenge. l deeply regret
my offensive language, and hasten to
retract it. 1t is my purpose to inform
the gentlemen, who knew something
CT the affair between us. that we have
no quarrel, and that | regard you as
one of the bravest and noblest of men, :"
Conway looked into the Mexican's
eyes, and saw sincerity there.
''Senor Gomez he said, Il am at
loss to understand all this
'.Listen!' exclaimed the other i'm
patiently. Last night at the opera
my wife saw face that recalled the
greatest peril of her life She studied
it through her glass and became con-
vinced that she was right. When she
met me at our hotel. after my return
from the cafe where we had our un-
fortunate difference, she told me all,
and begged me to search out her pre-
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